On All-Star starts and dreams come true

Honor to be recognized by fans, says Twins' Morneau

Here are some of the notable quotes from around Major League Baseball this week:

"Obviously, you play this game and you want to be respected by the players you play against, but at the same time, it's pretty cool to be acknowledged by the fans. You don't get in only [by receiving votes from the] Minnesota fans. It's fans all over baseball punching your name, and that's how you get in like that. For a guy like Joe Mauer to lead all catchers, it means that people in Boston, people in New York, and people in Cleveland and Detroit are punching his name on that, too. That's pretty cool to be able to do that."

--Justin Morneau discussing the honor of being voted to start an All-Star Game.
(MLB.com)

"Yeah, I saw it. It was the only way I saved myself."

--Jason Vargas, Mariners pitcher, on his reflexive catch of a line drive off the bat of Twins catcher Joe Mauer that was heading for his face.
(Seattle Times)

"Look who's pitching. It's Roy Halladay. He's the best pitcher in baseball. It's not embarrassing. He's a Cy Young Award winner. He did exactly what he needed to do tonight. He executed every pitch it seemed like."

"I just look at him and shake my head sometimes. It's been fun to watch. He's about as professional as professional can get. He's always working and always trying to get better. With all the time he has in the game, he still wants to get better."

"He's a lot different pitcher than he was in 1996. He was more one side of the plate with his fastball, cutter, used his curveball and an occasional changeup.

"Now he throws that cutter on both sides, he has two different fastballs, he uses his changeup more. He's just a lot different than when I caught him. He's added pitches to his repertoire, and it's really completed him as a pitcher."

--Yankees manager Joe Girardi commenting on the changes that left-hander Andy Pettitte has made in his pitching style over the years.
(MLB.com)

"I'm ready to go. I've thrown three bullpens, trying to stay on my normal routine. I'm excited about getting back on the mound."

--NL All-Star manager Charlie Manuel's reply when asked if he would consider picking Braves second baseman Martin Prado as a reserve.
(Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

"I don't know whether I was rushed or not, but I look at everything as it happened for a reason. I learned a lot in L.A. I went through a lot of adversity, and it was probably needed for me to be where I am right now. If you learn how to fail, you'll know how to win."

--Diamondbacks pitcher Edwin Jackson reflecting on his time as a phenom in the Dodgers' organization.
(Los Angeles Times)

"I've been seeing the ball well and trying to have good at-bats, where I hit it hard somewhere. When I'm in there every day, it's easier to keep things going."

--Angels catcher Mike Napoli on his hot May, in which he batted .322 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs.
(Los Angeles Times)

"He came out of it very well. Right out of the gate, so that's good.
"I have no doubt that he will want to catch in the big leagues on Friday after catching just one day. But that's unrealistic."

--D-backs manager A.J. Hinch commenting on catcher Miguel Montero, who went 2-for-4 with a pair of walks and two runs scored during a game at extended Spring Training. Montero is recovering from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee.
(MLB.com)

"Al [Alex Rodriguez] for the 13th time gets six RBI in a game. Are you kidding me?"